Ah, that American classic, the World Series. This year, it’s the Texas Rangers’ championship to win or lose. Sure, the Cardinals can be competitive, but can they do so for five to seven games? What exactly makes the Rangers the World Series favorites? It’s during these murky moments, these times of uncertainty, that one goes to the ever-dependable pros and cons list.
PROS FOR THE TEXAS RANGERS:
– Boy, can they swing the bat, which is always a good thing when the point of the game is to hit the ball and score.
– Their bullpen shows up when needed. A combined 1.32 ERA (“earned run average,” or the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched) throughout 27 and 1/3 innings in the series with the Detroit Tigers? Ah, those nice baseball acronyms.
– This is their second consecutive World Series appearance—also, their second appearance in a World Series ever. And everyone knows the second time is the charm… Wait. Shoot.
– Everything is bigger in Texas, they say. Let’s hope that translates well.
CONS FOR THE TEXAS RANGERS:
– Their starting rotation is… well… It’s a good thing their bullpen shows up when needed. Here’s another nice acronym-based fact to throw out there: starting pitchers for Texas had a combined 6.59 ERA in 28 and 2/3 innings in the Detroit Tigers series. Hmm…
– The Cardinals can hit the ball equally well, and their bullpen shows up, too. That’s especially true in this postseason. So, that whole struggling pitching rotation for the Rangers might be a factor.
– They share the same city as the Dallas Cowboys. Not sure what that means, but it’s something. Or maybe it’s just me…
– They claim they have “unfinished business” from last year’s World Series, which indicates an unwillingness to follow through on responsibility. Shame.
Admittedly, I’m not much of a baseball guy; although, I enjoy the occasional game and postseason series. But I do respect tradition. Ergo, this week’s column is not just dedicated to a game or a series, but to the epitome of sacred sports traditions. This week’s column is dedicated to decades of tossing the ball in the backyard with family and friends. It’s dedicated to getting drunk in the stands and obnoxiously singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” the true American way. Let’s play ball!
it wdnolut bother me. but i’d like to see the devil rays win it once or twice. im a yankee fan but if the yankees arent gonna win it, i’d like to see the underdog teams win. like the rays or the pirates or the royals. teams like that. i think they deserve it.